Cromwell wrote to John Manners, the 1st Earl of Rutland, to arrest of Friar John Colsell, a friar who was just eighteen yet ‘schoolmaster’ at the Grantham Greyfriars in Lincolnshire, accused of magic and astrology. Rutland’s men captured Colsell on 23 August, who accused many others at Grey Friars in Grantham of similar crimes. Colsell, while in prison, was accused of being a performer of divination and teaching 13-year-old novice friar William Nobul, ‘ to bear false witness.’ The case overturned significant issues with Colsell and the house, but they were not dissolved until 1539.
SECRETARY THOMAS CROMWELL TO JOHN MANNERS, EARL OF RUTLAND, 9 August 1535 (Belvoir Castle MSS)
To the right honourable my lord the Earl of Rutland be this given.
My lord, after my right hearty commendations this shall be to advertise to your lordship that having received your letters and declared the effects of the same to the king’s highness, who for your diligent advertisement of such things as do touch his majesty, and for your goodwill showed towards the correction of such transgressions given to you, his Grace’s hearty and consigned thanks, Forasmuch as the king’s highness is informed that the warden of those friars which have spoken those seditious words, is a right honest person and that it may be that he is accused by such light persons as perchance cannot justify the same. The king’s highness therefore requires your lordship to call before you the warden and all other his friars and to take some pains thoroughly and exactly to hear debate and examine the matter with them and their accusers, so as the truth and the whole circumstances of the matter may truly and substantially appear in such ways as every man may have his merits and desserts according to good justice. And of your lordship’s proceedings in that behalf, and what matter you shall find upon the said examination, it may please your lordship to signify the same with the circumstances to the king’s highness or his council, upon the which advertisement your lordship shall know further of the king’s pleasure. Touching the other friar named Friar John Colsell using the deceitful art of magic and astrology, the king’s pleasure is that you shall cause him to be taken and apprehended and detain him in ward until you shall have other knowledge and advertisement of the king’s pleasure in that behalf. And thus, the Holy Trinity preserve your lordship in long life and health with the increase of honour. At Berkeley Herons, the 9th day of August.
Your lordship’s assured
THOMAS CRUMWELL
CAROLINE ANGUS 